I think I'm having some trouble understanding the dynamics of channeling within the world of the wheel, and I wanted to get a fresh perspective from some experienced readers. This is my second read-through, so it's not as if I'm a complete dunce -- I just wanted to see if you folks could help me clear up some misunderstandings?

First, I've come into some confusion over how "The One Power," interacts with "The Five Powers." I know very well what each of these are, but I can't seem to wrap my head around the strength of a channeler in an element when compared against the strength of a channeler overall.

To quote the Big White Book, page 18...

"Anyone who can channel usually has a greater degree of strength with at least one or two of the [Five] Powers, yet they may lack any particular ability at all with some of the others."

"In general, men were stronger in the use of the power - that is, the sheer volume of the [One] Power they could handle..."

These two statements lead me to believe that there are two ways to measure strength in the Power, although the books themselves have only ever referred to the "sheer volume" of the power when determining comparative differences.

So, here's a hypothetical question.

Let's say that we have two female channelers -- Laura and Erin. Let's say that, if the sheer volume of the one power could be rated on a scale of 1 to 20, Laura would rank at a 19 and Erin would rank at a 12.

Now, let's say that Erin is considered to be extremely strong with Air and Water, whereas Laura has almost no ability with Air or Water whatsoever. If you put them both on a ship with an Atha’an Miere Windfinder and worked them for two months in an effort to teach them to weave wind currents, who would be able to weave bigger currents at the end of the two months? Does the sheer volume of the power that Laura can hold outweigh her lack of ability with Air? Or does Erin’s relative strength in Air allow her to overcome Laura, even though Laura is far more powerful?

That is, essentially, the core of what I am asking. How do you all perceive the relationship between the Five Powers? I’ve seen some people declare that strength in the One Power is determined by the sum of a character’s strength in the Five Powers, but I’ve seen no evidence to support this.

Is the name “Five Powers” a misnomer? Does a person’s affinity with one of the Five Powers correlate more appropriately with her channeling skill – that is, her ability to weave flows together? Are they more like modifiers that weigh in against your actual power level? Are they definitive measurements of power that cannot be exceeded? If the latter is the case, then what is the purpose of holding more of the One Power?

I’d like to hear your thoughts.